Commissioner welcomes business support for modern slavery reform

Leading business organisations have given the green light to major reform of the Modern Slavery Act. "The Government now has business, civil society and trade union support for amending the Act to introduce mandatory modern slavery due diligence obligations on large Australian businesses," said the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner Chris Evans.

The Commissioner welcomed their support and said, "there is now no barrier to the Government acting."

The Business Council of Australia's submission to the Government said, "as per our joint letter to the Attorney General with other employer groups, we recommend the government proceed with a mandatory due diligence obligation as a preferred model".

The Commissioner said while business groups remain opposed to the Government's proposed criminal offence, they support due diligence as an alternative. The Commissioner reiterated his view that both elements should be included in the new architecture of the Act. The Commissioner believes that with good will and engagement we can resolve any concerns about the Government proceeding with both measures.

"I think that if legislated, this combination of measures would give Australia one of the strongest modern slavery responses globally," Commissioner Evans said.

The Commissioner's recent proposal for reforms includes a range of other measures, including a civil cause of action for victims.

Commissioner Evans' remarks were made at the 2026 Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights, hosted by the UN Global Compact Network Australia in Melbourne today.

Read more in Impact through Action: A framework for modern slavery reform